June 9, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries announces a trap transfer program in Area 2, the Outer Cape Area, and Area 3 (offshore fishery from ME to NC).
This program allows qualified vessels to buy and/or sell individual traps up to a specified trap cap in these areas, giving lobster permit holders more flexibility. Federal lobster permit holders from other areas may also “buy in” to these areas by purchasing traps through this program.
NOAA Fisheries will accept trap transfer applications between August 1 and September 30, 2015.If approved, the new trap allocations will be effective for the start of the 2016 fishing year, on May 1, 2016.
Read our bulletin and Federal Register announcement about the new program, or download trap transfer applications, both available on our website.
Questions about the trap transfer program? Contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Regional Office, at 978-281-9315.